It has been an on and off again curiosity for most of my adult life and more of a passion since 2007. The “passion” started when I took up the 365 Days Project in Sept 2006. The goal was to take a self portrait everyday for a year. I ended up doing it for 2 straight years. In that time I went from your typical shots in the mirror and your arms length “Myspace” shots to learning how to use the timer, learning about my cameras settings to composing a shot in my head to tell a story. I started looking at the world in a different light, in 4x6 so to speak.
Nothing was safe. Family, friends, my dog (I miss you Jazmin). My camera went with me almost everywhere. I started photographing strangers to work on photojournalistic skills. Then I started doing portraits and model photography. Did I go to school for this? No. I did it through trial and error, books and the Internet. From studying the works of current and past artists and seeking out other photographers for advice and help. What I have found is that there are those who would rather hoard knowledge than share it. Some out of spite, some out of fear. Knowledge is meant to be shared.
In art, especially photography, it’s not about what school you went to or what certificates you have on the wall. It’s about the work you produce. Case in point, Joey L. (joeyL.com) who is currently 20 years old, has done the advertising photography for Pawn Stars, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and (ladies, breath) Twilight and New Moon. He too is a “self taught” picture taker, learning through trial and error with no formal education.
Others that taught themselves and/or sought others for insight:
Ansel Adams, Robert Frank, Richard Avedon, Anne Geddes, Herb Ritts, James Vab Der Zee and a multitude of others that have made a name for themselves.
My advice to anyone that is passionate about this art form:
Always seek self improvement, experiment, seek out others like you, don’t be afraid to ask for advice or help, offer advice or help and most importantly, know your gear! Whether it be your Hanna Montana point and shoot or that fancy smancy DSLR you got with your tax refund, know what it can do. Don’t be afraid of using Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or (shudder) Manual mode.
Thank you for your time
Michael D. Dunn
*I am not taking a dig on anyone that went to school. I am just speaking for my self and my journey.
]]>From their About Us page:
“Love: In A Time of War” was founded in the Summer of 2009 by Mariana Reed, a former US Marine. We are an organization dedicated to serve and support the United States military. We make their deployments easier by mailing letters and individual care packages as they serve our great country overseas. We also make family life in the military easier by providing various other services. Todays shoot was on the beach with Marianna and Leigh. It was cold and windy but both ladies rocked it. Thanks again. Photos to come soon.
It is not about whether you are Democrat, Republican or Independent, whether you support the war, or are against it. It's about the people that are willing to put their lives on the line for you, this country, and our freedom. Those who are not always able to enjoy the same privileges that others sometimes take for granted.
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Finally got to use my shoot through umbrellas outside woth the setting sun. For the first application I am pretty happy with the results. More from this session soon.
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Spring needs to hurry up and get here. This cold weather is seriously affecting my mood. I've had a couple great shoots and met some great contacts for future endeavors but I haven't really been as motivated. Call it what you want I just hate the feeling. Damn that groundhog! With March coming I got a sweet gig coming up, a week and a half of leave and St Patrick's Day (mmm green beer).
Any others out there going through the same thing?
Technorati Tags: rant
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Raised Art]]>
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Su Jung Cho
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I shot this...Just Because.
Finding interest in the little things